Running from running Kronenwetter | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for the week of July 25, 2024
The Wausonian was one of the first to report (beaten only by WSAU) that Kronenwetter’s new administrator, Peter Kampfer, had resigned only two months into his administration.
Kampfer cited conflicts with the village’s fire chief, alleging she had threatened to resign — and that her resignation would take half the staff with her — if he didn’t support the village starting its own ambulance service.
The fire chief in question, Theresa O’Brien, didn’t respond to requests for comment from The Wausonian.
Kampfer’s resignation follows the resignation of the village’s last administrator, Leonard Ludi, who had previously been the village’s public works director. Ludi cited “considerable concerns” in his resignation letter - something he never elaborated on publicly. The village is now without an administrator and public works director, and the village board Monday assigned President Chris Voll to handle limited administration duties.
The village also voted to put its administrator ad back up, but some are doubting how many takers the village will get at this point. The possibility of hiring a headhunting firm is something the board might consider.
It was a busy week for the Wausonian! Here are some of the stories we published:
The Wausonian dug into the final numbers of the Wausau Mayor’s race - and the numbers were astounding.
What has Wausau done for its homeless population? A lot in recent years - The Wausonian tallied much of what is going on around homelessness in Wausau ahead of the second big city meeting about the issues.
And as we said, we were on top of the Peter Kampfer leaving Kronenwetter story.
Last but not least, this doctor left the big hospital system and is starting his own dermatology practice. Read about about Dr. Stephen Lewellis and Above and Beyond Dermatology.
What else in Wausau?
Caught in the act: Wausau Police arrested a couple on suspicion of theft after police posted surveillance video of them leaving Menards. After posting the video, it took roughly one day for police to identify the suspects and apprehend them.
Bike bridge to somewhere: Residents heard a presentation for a bike bridge that would allow better access from Wausau to the metro south Thursday. The cost of the project? $19 million-$22 million. That’s before any grants, of course. Consultants MSA presented the plan with two options for bridges that would cross the Eau Claire River near the Eau Claire River Conservancy, connecting Kent Street in Wausau to Grossman Drive in Schofield. The possibility of the bridge is something that’s been discussed for at least a decade.
Around the metro
Phosphorus goals: The county is roughly halfway to its goal of reducing phosphorus in the Fenwood Creek watershed, which drains into the Big Eau Pleine basin. The watershed became a focus for the county as an example of how to remove phosphorus from waterways and is the focus of a state pilot program paying incentives to farmers who reduce their phosphorus runoff. Why? Phosphorus from farm runoff drains into waterways and increases the growth of algae which consumes oxygen. That leads to fish kills and Big Eau Pleine has had several fish kills in recent decades.
Business
Stevens Point business expanding to grocery stores statewide: Siren Shrubs, a sipping vinegar company founded in Stevens Point in 2018, is expanding. The company announced recently that it will be expanding to more than 90 Roundy’s and Pick N Save grocery stores throughout the state. Shrubs are sipping vinegars that were popular in England and Colonial America. They’re starting to make a comeback and Siren Shrubs launched in Stevens Point by Layne Cozzolino, who had previously run Farmshed, and Mindy McCord, who before that worked for Portage County. See SP Metro Wire’s full story and watch our video interview with Siren Shrubs from a few years ago.
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Entertainment
Thursday, July 27 (and ongoing): The Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art has had some really cool exhibits over the past year, but this one is unique because it’s a partnership between WMOCA, The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and Wausome. These entities partnered to bring this new exhibit, The String Project, to WMOCA. Kicking off July 25, the exhibit brings 49 photographs from daily life around five different continents. The exhibit, featuring the work of Chelsea Nix of Indiana and Mariano Cortez of Argentina, is meant to give viewers an idea of daily life from all over the world. The exhibit runs through Oct. 12. Check out more at Wausome.
Your Wisconsin Valley Fair schedule:
A lot has changed with the Wisconsin Valley Fair. With major musical acts charging higher and higher fees, and lowered attendance, the fair shifted to offering other kinds of sports and entertainment. But it also includes two nights of rodeos, plus the fan-favorite demo derbies. Not to mention all the carnival rides, animal shows and general spectacle that the fair always brings. All Grandstand events (except the Demolition Derby) are included with your gate admission. The gates will open at 4 pm to allow you to set lawn chairs or blankets. Free seating includes the Grandstand itself, the grass berms, and the area between the reserved seating and the grandstand itself. For detailed ticket info and more, see the Wisconsin Valley Fair website.
Grandstand entertainment schedule:
Tuesday, July 30: Night Ranger
Wednesday, July 31: LoCash
Thursday, Aug. 1: Gabby Barrett
Friday, Aug. 2: PRCA Rodeo
Saturday, Aug. 3: PRCA Rodeo
Sunday, Aug. 4: Demo Derby
Saturday, July 27: Some of you wait all year for this event. It’s gotta be the biggest paddle pub crawl in the state at least. Join hundreds of other paddlers starting at D.C. Everest Park in Wausau as the giant flotilla makes its way to various pubs along Lake Wausau and the Wisconsin River. It’s a hooting good time and its organizer says it’s not just drunken debauchery; there are a number of families who join the fun too. Meet at D.C. Everest Park with your kayak or canoe at 11:30 am, departs at noon. This is the tenth version of the event, so it’s a special one! Check out the Paddle Pub Crawl’s Facebook page for more.
Looking for kids/family events? Check out the family-oriented listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.
Sports
College baseball: The Wausau Woodchucks continue their unbelievable run this season with a 15-6 win over the Lakeshore Chinooks Sunday. The Chucks are now 15-4 in the season’s second half. The team will take the field again Thursday following the Northwoods League All-Star break.
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